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Our family law attorneys have helped hundreds of families get through difficult times. Don't take our word for it, read testimonials from our past clients to get an idea of how we can help your family get through this difficult time.

“Molly and her staff supported me completely through a drawn out divorce. My ex and his lawyer did everything they could to bleed me dry and drag the proceedings out. Molly is extremely compassionate and professional. I highly recommend her.”

Molly is rated AV - the highest possible rating- by her peers through the Martindale and Hubble rating process and has been recognized as a Superb Family Law attorney and Client's Choice 2012 by Avvo.com.

Molly has also been named by Seattle Met Magazine as one of Seattle's top family law attorneys.

Stacey Smythe has over 24 years of experience in representing Northwest clients in cases ranging from divorce (amicable and high-conflict), modifications, child custody, paternity, child support and domestic violence. Additionally I have experience to provide counsel in drafting Wills, Complete Estate Planning consultation and Probate Administration.

Monica Rands-Preuss is licensed both in California and Washington. She has been practicing family law since 1994. Monica has years of experience working with families in transition. She believes that since all families are unique, their solutions should be too.

Our society is reluctant to talk about the fact that nearly one in ten men has experienced domestic violence in their lifetime, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In Washington state, the no-fault divorce laws male victims of domestic violence the same way as they do females. While it will not directly impact the granting of a divorce or the outcome of the majority of the divorce terms, it will have other ramifications in your divorce case.

If you are a man seeking a divorce from an abusive spouse, you should know that you have every right to seek protection and safety from your situation. A Bellevue divorce attorney can help you seek immediate protection from your spouse before you begin the divorce proceedings.

Protecting Yourself Before Your Divorce

If you believe you are in imminent danger, you should first contact the Washington State Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-562-6025. The hotline is active seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or for immediate danger situations, you should call your local police station or 911. It is important to remember that you have a right to be safe and protected from harm from an abusive spouse, just as a female domestic violence victim would.

Once you are in a safe situation, you can begin seeking a Washington state divorce attorney who is familiar with cases of domestic violence. It is best to work with a lawyer who has handled similar cases to yours, as they can bring prior knowledge of how Washington family law judges treat instances of male victim domestic violence.

Domestic Violence Against Husbands Does Impact Divorce

Just as if a woman was the victim of domestic abuse, a male abuse victim will have his divorce case treated the same, even for verbal abuse. Because Washington state no-fault laws do not require any grounds for divorce to be presented, "irreconcilable differences" will be the only factor considered when granting your divorce.

Furthermore, misconduct such as domestic abuse is not supposed to factor into marital property distribution. However, there are always exceptions to the standards. For example, if an abused husband can prove that he is no longer able to work or has incurred substantial medical costs because of the abuse, asset division and spousal support agreements may be adjusted accordingly to accommodate those factors.

Some men tend to avoid bringing up spousal abuse against them because they are afraid they will look like liars, or it will somehow harm their case. When determining factors such as marital asset division, judges are to remain impartial, and the same goes for child custody.

A judge should examine what are the best options for the child, and if one spouse is abusive to the other regardless of gender, that may be an important factor in determining custody.

Don't Be Afraid to Speak Up

At The Law Offices of Molly B. Kenny, we treat every victim of domestic violence the same - with compassion, care, and respect. Call 425-460-0550 or fill out this online contact form and schedule time to discuss your options.

Molly B. Kenny's Bellevue family law office is conveniently located on Lake Bellevue Drive, making it easily accessible to those in the greater Seattle area. Our divorce and child custody lawyers help men and women get the information, guidance, and compassionate representation they need.